Terry: Chelsea looking to increase lead

09 November 2009 10:25

John Terry has warned Chelsea's title rivals they do not intend to merely sit on their five-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

The Blues led from the front when they clinched their last two titles in 2005 and 2006 and the England captain believes leading from the front could be the key again this time around. Terry's 76th-minute header gave Carlo Ancelotti's side a five-point margin over Arsenal at the top of the table and Terry declared: "We're not going to settle for a five-point gap, we want to increase that lead.

"It's encouraging that we won both our titles leading from the front. That's in the back of our minds and it could be key for us. Fingers crossed we can do the same again."

He added: "We have already won more games against the other teams in the 'Big Four' than we did last season and that gives us confidence. It's a good psychological lift for us because it's where we lost it last year.

"Arsenal are looking good at the moment. They are free-flowing and scoring goals like they always do but when they pick up injuries they tend to miss some key players.

"Manchester United have some tough games coming up as well. It's important before we lose the African players in January that we build a big cushion.

"It was a bit of a scrappy game. We probably showed each other too much respect. We've been playing well at home and we should have continued that and taken the game to them a little bit more.

"Still, we did what we had to do, got another clean sheet, which is really pleasing against a top side.

"The message from this defeat will be for United to kick on. They certainly won't give up. We were in their position last year and the year before that and there was no way we were going to give up.

"They've had a few injuries in their squad and missed a few key players, but once everyone is fit and well they'll be raring to go and will push us and Arsenal to the end."